Building set

ABSTRACT

A building set and method of play include a base piece and building blocks. The building blocks have an end face and a longitudinal side with planar exterior walls spaced apart at a first width. A first building block has a first connector type with two parallel planar members extending from the end face. The planar members include a rib along an outward face, and are configured to have a snug fit into the first width of another block. A second building block includes a second connector type located on either the end face of the second building block or a top surface of the base. The second connector type has a circular arrangement of pressure hinges, where the other of the end face of the second building block or the top surface of the base has a protrusion configured to be detachably inserted into the pressure hinges.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/859,939 filed on Jul. 30, 2013 and entitled “Building Set”, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Toy structures that are collapsible or destructible have long been a source of entertainment for children. For example, buildings and ships have been configured to break apart when a projectile impacts the object. Some collapsible structures have been incorporated into skills games, where the method of game play and the themes or features of the game spark a child's imagination and provide continued engagement of the game to add to its play value.

One video game line made available for the IPHONE®, IPAD® and ANDROID™ mobile devices by the Finland-based developer ROVIO MOBILE LTD is entitled ANGRY BIRDS®. As a player enters a level in the ANGRY BIRDS video game, the device displays a structure appearing to be made from various materials including wood, glass or ice and stone. Various-sized and -shaped green pigs appear within the structure. The structure scrolls off-screen and a slingshot with a queue of various-sized, -shaped, and -colored birds scrolls on-screen. The birds serve as projectiles for the slingshot to be launched against one side of the structure. The player launches each bird projectile by touching the mobile device screen with a finger, dragging the finger across the screen to simulate pulling back the projectile in the slingshot pocket, and lifting the finger from the screen to launch the projectile. Additional properties particular to each projectile may be activated by tapping the screen while the bird projectile is in flight. The goal is to knock over the green pigs, either by the projectile birds directly or with portions of the collapsing structure. A bonus area with golden eggs was made available in a later chapter release of the game. Golden eggs hidden throughout the game unlock other levels and features.

In some versions of the game, images of wooden crates labeled with “TNT” are interspersed in the structure. When struck, the wooden crate explodes and destroys objects within a short radius and sends objects within a larger radius flying. In other versions of the game, a space theme is utilized in which gameplay involves planets and other galactic objects, and projectiles are affected by varying amounts of gravity. While the game play of ANGRY BIRDS is fanciful and engaging, it is limited to a single-player virtual world with simulated physics. Furthermore, the ANGRY BIRDS video game lacks the excitement and challenge of a tangible skills game apparatus and methods associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary building set;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of building blocks with a first connector type, in one embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the building blocks of FIG. 2, coupled together;

FIG. 4 provides a front view of the building blocks of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a second connector type;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a base piece having protrusions related to the second connector type of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A-7B show a bottom view of a target piece and a side view of a target support piece, in one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the components from FIG. 8, assembled together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A physical game set based on the ANGRY BIRDS video game is described in Ho et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 2012/0286475, entitled “Launching Toy Game”, published Nov. 15, 2012, owned by the assignee of the present application and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. In Ho et al., a skills game includes a game set with a deck of cards, various-shaped building blocks, a projectile launcher, projectiles, and target pieces. Players take turns selecting a card, building structures, launching projectiles, and knocking down targets. The building blocks are stackable, or may be placed or balanced upon each other without immediately falling off. In one embodiment of Ho, the building blocks have slight protrusions and slight recesses on their bodies. The protrusion on one block may loosely fit within a recess of another block to create a loose frictional fit, to aid in joining or stacking the blocks to create a structural formation.

In the present disclosure, a collapsible building set is disclosed in which building blocks are configured to allow for stable construction of a structure, yet allow the blocks to “break off” or “break apart” upon impact, such as from a projectile. For the purposes of this disclosure, the building blocks may also be referred to as bricks or connectors. The ability of the blocks to be temporarily secured, but yet be detachable upon application of an external force, enhances the play value by allowing new and creative types of building configurations to be made. The connectable blocks also may increase the difficulty of collapsing the play structure, thereby increasing amusement value for the user. The blocks may be utilized as a stand-alone play item, or may be used as part of a game set.

FIG. 1 shows a building set 100 in one embodiment. Building set 100 includes a base 110 onto which a plurality of building blocks 120 are coupled, primary targets 130 and bonus target pieces 140 mounted onto various building blocks 120, a projectile launcher 150, and projectiles 160. The projectile launcher 150, configured as a slingshot in this embodiment, is configured to launch projectiles 160. Projectile launcher 150 may be configured as other types of launching devices, such as a catapult or trebuchet. Projectile launcher 150 is capable of storing energy and then transferring the stored energy to the projectiles 160, using, for example, a spring or an elastic or rubber band. In this embodiment, primary targets 130 are shaped as spherical pigs, projectiles 160 are shaped as spherical birds, and bonus targets 140 are shaped as a planar star or planar eggs. Other figures and shapes of these pieces are possible.

During play, a user attempts to launch the projectiles 160 onto the constructed formation of building blocks 120 to hit certain target pieces 130 or 140 and/or to knock down the formation of building blocks 120. Players may use a free style of play, such as to target specific components or to destruct the entire assembly as desired. In other embodiments, players may use a game method of play as described in Ho et al., in which cards may provide instructions or “missions” describing particular objects to hit within building set 100. The cards may also describe a particular formation to build with the bricks 120. Players are then awarded points for accomplishing their missions.

FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of building blocks 200 a and 200 b having a first type of connector. Building blocks 200 a/b have a longitudinal side 210 bordered by two exterior walls 220. Exterior walls 220 are planar and are spaced apart by a width ‘W’, as measured from the interior faces of walls 220. At an end of longitudinal side 210 is an end face 230, from which two planar members 240 extend. Planar members 240 are plates having a rib 250 on their outward faces, and a concave arc 260 on their edge opposite of end face 230. In this embodiment, two ribs 250 are on each planar member 240, one near each lateral edge and running approximately perpendicular to the end face 230.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show perspective and front views, respectively, of the building bricks 200 a/b coupled together, where the planar members 240 of one brick 200 a have been inserted between walls 220 of another brick 200 b. Planar members 240 are configured to have a snug fit within width ‘W’ of longitudinal side 210, so that brick 200 a is stably connected to brick 200 b. That is, the combination of the spacing between planar members 240 and the thickness of ribs 250 is designed such that the building brick 200 a can slide into longitudinal side 210 with some frictional engagement, while still being able to be separated from its mating brick 200 b when impacted by a projectile. This snug fit allows the bricks 200 a and 200 b to be coupled together at various angles relative to the ground, as shown in FIG. 1, and remain stable. By allowing the building blocks 200 to be stacked or constructed in non-orthogonal configurations relative to the direction of gravity, the types of imaginative structures that can be created is increased. Note that in FIG. 3, the space between walls 220 is open along the length of side wall 210, such that another brick 200 can be placed anywhere along its length. This variability in placement further enhances the creative play opportunities for a user. In other embodiments, the space between walls 220 may be open only in certain portions, such as to create specific compartments into which another brick 200 may be inserted.

Returning to FIG. 2, the curved arc 260 assists in the ability of the brick structure to break apart, by allowing a small amount of flexure to planar members 240. The lateral spacing of the two ribs 250 provides stability to the coupling between bricks 200 a and 200 b, while limiting the amount of friction. That is, having two ribs 250 contact the wall 220 of a connecting brick eases the detachability compared to having the entire surface of planar member 240 engage wall 220. In other embodiments, more than two ribs may be present, or differently-shaped raised features such as bumps may utilized instead of or in addition to ribs.

FIG. 5 shows a second type of connector for stably but releasably coupling building bricks into a structure. In FIG. 5, building brick 300 has an end face 310 with multiple flexural tabs, which shall be referred to as pressure hinges 320, arranged in a circle to form an opening 330. Four hinges 320 are shown in this embodiment, but other quantities such as two or more are possible. The hinges 320 are recessed in this embodiment, so that end face 310 may be flush with an interfacing surface. In other embodiments, the hinges 320 need not be recessed. The circular opening 330 formed by pressure hinges 320 is sized to receive protrusions 410 of FIG. 6, similar to a snap fit. The hinges 320 flex slightly outward as protrusions 410 are inserted into opening 330, and then retract to retain the curved outer surfaces of protrusions 410. In this embodiment, protrusions 410 are on a top surface 420 of a base piece 400; however, protrusions may also be on a surface of another building block. Also, although the pressure hinges 320 are located on the building block 300 and the protrusions 410 are located on the base 400 in FIGS. 5 and 6, in other embodiments, these male and female connector components may be reversed.

In FIG. 6, base 400 has a non-planar surface 420 onto which building components are to be mounted. In the embodiment shown, the surface 420 is convex and resembles a lunar surface. Other types of surfaces and scenery are possible, such as a hilly countryside, a graded roadway, or a craggy cliff. The surface 420 in various embodiments may be curved, stepped, linearly angled, or spiraled. In further embodiments, surface 420 may be planar and have an angle of 0° or more relative to the ground. Building blocks are enabled to be securely coupled to a non-planar or angled surface due to the first and second types of connectors described above. The ability to build structural formations on an irregular supporting surface provides new and creative play opportunities for a user.

The parallel plate connectors of FIGS. 3-4 and the hinge connectors of FIGS. 5-6 may be provided in various combinations on building blocks in a play set. For example, a building block may have plate connectors on both of its opposite ends, or may have a plate connector on one end and a hinge connector on the opposite end, or may have hinge connectors on both ends (e.g., male on one end and female on the other, or male-male, or female-female). In other embodiments, a hinge or plate connector may be incorporated onto a longitudinal side wall of a brick instead of or in addition to the connectors being on its end faces. These various combinations allow for even further creative play in constructing building formations.

The target pieces in a building set may also utilize the first connector (FIGS. 3-4) and second connector (FIGS. 5-6) types to secure them to the building blocks. In FIG. 7B, a target support piece 500 has a surface 510 from which a mounting post 520 vertically extends. Two planar members 540 are underneath surface 510, with planar members 540 having ribs 550 and arcuate cutout 560 similar to the building blocks 200 a/b of FIG. 2. Target piece 570 of FIG. 7A has a hole 575 into which post 520 may be inserted. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, target piece 570 may be coupled to building block 580 via support piece 500. In use, a projectile may be aimed at target piece 570, and the target piece 570 may be detached from building block 580 when force from the projectile on target piece 570 pulls planar members 540 (and consequently support piece 500 with target piece 570 on it) out of block 580. In other embodiments, the second connector type of pressure hinges may be replace the planar members 540 on target support piece 500.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A building set apparatus comprising: a base piece having a top surface; and a plurality of building blocks, wherein each of the building blocks comprises a longitudinal side and an end face at an end of the longitudinal side, wherein the longitudinal side comprises planar exterior walls spaced apart from each other at a first width; wherein a first building block in the plurality of building blocks further comprises a first connector type having two parallel planar members extending from the end face, wherein the planar members comprise a rib along an outward face of the planar member, and wherein the planar members are configured to have a snug fit into the first width of another block in the plurality of building blocks; wherein a second building block in the plurality of building blocks further comprises a second connector type, wherein the second connector type is located on either the end face of the second building block or the top surface of the base, the second connector type having a circular arrangement of pressure hinges, and wherein the other of (i) the end face of the second building block or (ii) the top surface of the base comprises a protrusion configured to be detachably inserted into the circular arrangement of the pressure hinges.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein first connector type and the second connector type are configured such that the plurality of building blocks are stably connected together using the first connector type or the second connector type, and wherein the building blocks can be detached upon impact from a projectile.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each planar member comprises an arcuate cutout at an edge opposite the end face.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base has a non-planar surface on which the pressure hinges or the protrusion are formed.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rib extends along a line that is approximately perpendicular to the end face.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first building block comprises the first connector type on a first end face and the second connector type on a second end face opposite the first end face.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first building block comprises the first connector type on a first end face and the first connector type on a second end face opposite the first end face.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first width extends along a full length of the longitudinal side such the planar members of another block may be inserted at any location along the full length.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a target support piece, wherein the target support piece comprises at least one of the first connector type or the second connector type, and wherein the target support piece has a mounting surface configured to receive a target piece.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a target piece adapted for placement about the plurality of building blocks; a projectile; and a projectile launcher adapted to launch the projectile at the target piece.
 11. A method of game play with components of a building set, the method comprising: selecting a card, the card including illustrations of a base piece, a plurality of building blocks and a target piece; constructing a structural formation from the base piece, the plurality of building blocks and the target piece; and launching a projectile from a projectile launcher at the target piece within the structural formation; wherein each of the building blocks comprises a longitudinal side and an end face at an end of the longitudinal side, wherein the longitudinal side comprises planar exterior walls spaced apart from each other at a first width; wherein a first building block in the plurality of building blocks comprises a first connector type having two parallel planar members extending from the end face, wherein the planar members comprise a rib along an outward face of the planar member, wherein the planar member comprises an arcuate cutout at an edge opposite the end face, and wherein the planar members are configured to have a snug fit into the first width of another brick; wherein a second building block in the plurality of building blocks comprises a second connector type, wherein the second connector type is located on either the end face of the second building block or a top surface of the base, the second connector type having a circular arrangement of pressure hinges, and wherein the other of (i) the end face or (ii) the top surface of the base comprises a protrusion configured to be detachably inserted into the circular arrangement of pressure hinges.
 12. A building block comprising: a longitudinal side, wherein the longitudinal side comprises planar exterior walls spaced apart from each other at a first width; an end face at an end of the longitudinal side; and two parallel planar members extending from the end face, wherein the planar members comprise a rib along an outward face of the planar member, and wherein the planar members are configured to have a snug fit into the first width of another building block.
 13. The building block of claim 12, wherein the snug fit between the planar members and the first width is configured to enable two building blocks to be stably connected together, and wherein the building blocks can be detached upon impact from a projectile.
 14. The building block of claim 12, wherein each planar member comprises an arcuate cutout at an edge opposite the end face.
 15. The building block of claim 12, wherein the rib extends along a line that is approximately perpendicular to the end face.
 16. The building block of claim 12, wherein the first width extends along a full length of the longitudinal side such the planar members of another block may be inserted at any location along the full length.
 17. A building block comprising: a longitudinal side, wherein the longitudinal side comprises planar exterior walls spaced apart from each other at a first width; an end face at an end of the longitudinal side; and a pressure hinge type connector located on the end face, wherein the pressure hinge type connector comprises either (i) a circular arrangement of pressure hinges or (ii) a protrusion configured to be detachably inserted into the circular arrangement of the pressure hinges.
 18. The building block of claim 17 wherein the pressure hinge type connector is configured such that two building blocks are stably connected together using the pressure hinge type connector, and the building blocks can be detached upon impact from a projectile. 